Paytm First Games has been relisted
on Google Play Store, the gaming app of fintech
company Paytm said in a blog post on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after it was
taken down from the dominant app store.
Paytm First Games said it had realigned its
promotion strategies, which Google had termed as “policy violations” earlier.
Google’s Play Store does not allow any real
money-based fantasy gaming application or the promotion of such apps through
verified store apps. Even leading cash-based fantasy gaming platforms such as
Dream 11 are not on Play Store.
The US technology giant had clarified its
position on anti-gambling policies in a blog post last month, ahead of
the Indian Premier League season, saying it
would tighten the screws on such apps and campaigns on Play Store apps. Google
had argued that this was done to provide customers a “safe and secure”
environment.
Paytm First Games, however, accused Google of
exhibiting “dangerous” and “extra-judicial monopolistic powers” in interpreting
policies for commercial benefit and disbarring apps “arbitrarily”. Google did
not respond to ET’s emailed queries till press time on Wednesday.
“While Google does not allow us to promote our
‘pro’ app on our own free app or Paytm app, we can promote it on Google
and YouTube by
paying hefty fees to Google,” Paytm First Games said in the blog post,
referring to the practice of paid ads on Google search and its video sharing platform.
“If the Paytm app promoted Paytm First Games,
then Paytm app would also be violating their “policies”. But when YouTube
promotes the same Paytm First pro app (for a hefty advertising fee), then it is
not a violation of such “policies” and suddenly does not create a risk to the
customers,” it said, pointing out that fantasy gaming was legal in most Indian
states.
Fantasy sports are a state subject and are allowed in most states, except Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Paytm First Game app available on Play Store is a non-cash fantasy gaming platform, and its “pro” version is only available on its website, not on the app store.
The fracas began on September 18 when Google took down both Paytm and Paytm First Games from its Play Store for violating its gambling policy, which prevents any registered store app from promoting real money-based fantasy games or skill-based cashback schemes.Paytm’s payments app was restored the same day after it tweaked some
requirements to fit Play Store’s policy, but Paytm First Games has only now
been listed back. The delisting of Paytm apps have caused an uproar in the
startup ecosystem and prompted Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma to accuse Google
of being “biased” and “monopolistic”.
The development also comes at a time when India’s app
ecosystem is protesting Google’s plans to enforce a 30% commission on apps
selling digital goods, with effect from April 2022.
Sandip Ginodia , CEO
ALTIUS INVESTECH PVT LTD
We deal in over 60 unlisted companies with 15 years of experience
For latest prices visit : www.abhisheksecurities.com/unlisted.htm / call : 09830271248 .
Email : ginodiasandip1@gmail.com
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